Cipher-code.



No. 832,100. PATENTED .001. 2, 1900.

1 5.5. PETERSON.

UIPHER CODE. APPLIOATION FILED 11130.5, 1001'. RENEWED MAE. 7, 1900.

2 SHEETS-SHEE T 2.

Use 011 1115i; 6 figs U35 on 7th& 8thf1'gs A E. I O U A E I U 101 501 501 701 001 110 510 510 710 010 111 511511 711 911 1,20 5,20 5,00 7,20 v9,10 121 521 521 7,81 9,01 150 550 550 750 950 151 551 551 751 951 140 510 510 710 010 :18 58 a 55 99 1111 511511 741 941 19 59 50 m 90 00 2.0 0o 80 01 21 41 01 51 OK. 23 4.2 6/3 '82 05 05 55 a5 04: 24 4 4' 64 84 05 15 65 85 00 25 66 as 07 27 417 67 57 05 25 18 68 as 00 2s 19 59 as 10 50 70 11 51 51 71 91 2: 1253 52 7,2 92 15 55 55 75 11 51 51 m 94 15 55 55 75 95 1e 50 56 T6 96 17 57 57 ,77 97 Use on last 6 figs A E I 0 U 000 100 200 500 100 001 101 201 501 101 0-02 10.2 202 502 10,2 005 105 205 505 105 001 101 201 501 101 005 105 205 505 105*:G" 006 100 205 505 105 007 107 207 507 107 008 108 203 505 108 009 109 2:09 509 100 010 1:10 210 510 410 011 1111, Z11 311 4 11 D12 11? 1212 512, 1:42 015 215 515 415 014 114214 514 4141 015 115 215 515 115 016 116 16 516 4-15 017 117 17 517 447 018 118 313 518 418 019 119 219 519 419 THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON. 0.1:.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST E. PETERSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL CIPHER CODE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CIPHER-CODE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 2, 1906.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ERNEST E. PETERSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cipher Codes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cipher-codes, and relates particularly to a cipher-code especially designed and adapted for use in transmitting cablegrams and telegrams.

Primary objects of the invention are to reduce the cost of transmitting cablegrams and telegrams and to provide a code which is relatively very small and compact as compared with other ciphercodes having even approximately the same capacity, thereby effecting a great saving of time in finding de sired code expressions in the tables and in compiling and translating ciphermessages.

To this end a cipher-code of my invention consists of the various features, combinations of features, and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the'accompanying drawings, in which a code of my invention is fully illustrated, Figures 1, 2, and 3 are code-tables containing desired code expressions; and Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are key-tables for use in connection with the tables shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 for compiling and translating ciphermessages therefrom.

Under the rules of the cable companies covering the transmission of cablegrams five figures or less constitute a word, whereas words may contain ten letters if combined in a euphonious word. By providing code-tables, therefore, in which the code expressions are represented by numbers and then providing a key, whereby two or more figurewords may be converted into a single letterword, it is obvious that the cost of transmitting a message may be reduced at least onehalf.

Broadly stated, a cipher-codeof my invention consists of code-tables comprising numbers having desired code expressions. arranged in cooperative relation, preferably in line therewith, and which may be combined to form message or order numbers which will identify two or more code expressions, and key-tables consisting of numbers formed by dividing the message-numbers identifying the different code expressions into groups according to an adopted rule, and letters which represent each number of said keytables, comprising vowels and consonants, which when substituted'for their respective key-numbers in the message-numbers divided into groups, according to the rule adopted, will form a pronounceable or euphonious word. Obviously the key-tables must comprise all numbers which can be formed by dividing the message-numbers into groups in accordance with the rule adopted in the use of my improved code.

In its preferred forma cipher-code of my invention comprises the tables shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, of which Fig. 1 comprises two-figure numbers A, with a code expression A in line with each number thereof, Fig. 2 comprises four-figure numbers B, with a code expression B in line with each number thereof, and Fig. 3 comprises single numerals D, with a code expression D in line with each figure thereof.

By combining a number from each of said tables a single message-number of seven figures will thus be produced, which, however, will represent three different code expressions.

In the use of my code when a message consists of two or more seven-figure numbers made up as above described said numbers are considered in pairs, or in case there is an odd number of message-numbers the final or odd number is considered separately.

For the purpose of preparing a key for compiling the message-numbers into words made up of letters I have adopted the following rule for dividing said seven-figure numbers into groups. When said seven-figure numbers occur in pairs, the first six figures of the first number are divided into two groups of three figures each, the next two figures, being the last figure of the first seven-figure number and the first figure of the second sevenfigure number, form a group of two figures, and the last six figures of the second number are hdivided into two groupsof three figures eac figure numbers consists of five different groups, and by substituting two letters .for

each of said groups a word of ten letters ,will be produced, and by a proper arrangement of; vowels and oonsonants'itis obvious that a It is thus seen that each pair of sevenpronounceable or euphonious word, in accord ance with the rules governing the transmission of ciphermessages, may be produced and the numbers, aggregating fourteen figures, or three figure-words, converted into a single word of ten letters, conformable to the rules of the cable companies. In the case of odd or single numbers I divide them into two groups of three figures each, beginning at the left, and a single final figure.

In order to convert the numbers formed by the different groups of figures into which the message-numbers are divided, asabove described, into words made up'of letters, it is obvious that the key-tables must comprise all possible numbers which may be produced by subdividing the message-numbers into groups. For example, with the described method of subdividing the message-numbers it is obvious that the first three-figure group of each number will comprise the two figures of a number in Fig. 1 and the first figure of a number in Fig. 2, the second three -figure group will comprise the last three figures of said number in Fig. 2, the two-figure group will comprise a figure of the table shown in Fig. 3 and the first figure of a number of the table shown. in Fig. 1, the first three-figure group following the two-figure group will con sist of the final figure of said number in the table shown in Fig. 1 and the first two figures of a number of the table shown in Fig. 2, and the final group of three figures will comprise the last two figures of said number in the table shown in Fig. 2 and a figure from the table shown in Fig. 3. If, therefore, these five groups were all made up of dissimilar numbers, five different keys would be required for converting them into letters. For the purpose, therefore, of simplifying to as great an extent as possible the key-tables I have so selected the'figures forming the tables shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 that the numbers of the first and second three-figure groups will be duplicates of each other and so, also, that the numbers formed by the two final three-figure groups will be duplicates of each other. With this arrangement it is obvious that a single key-table may be used for said duplicate sets of numbers. To this end the table shown in Fig. 1 is made up of the first five numbers of each tens, as 00, 01, 02, H0377! (04,); H 10,17 H 11;!) (I 12,!) H 13,); H 14:)! &c., to and including 94. Said table will therefore contain fifty different numbers of two figures each.

The table shown in Fig. 2 comprises fourfigure numbers, beginning with 0000 and comprising the first two units of the first five tens of the first twenty hundreds, as 0000,

10001777 M0010, M0011), H0O20,H ,H0021,H 110030)); ((0031,!) ((0040)!) H0041, (010077) 1 0101, 0110, 0111, 0120, 0121,

&c., to and including 1941. Said table will thus contain two hundred four-figure numbers.

The table shown in Fig. 3 comprises single figures only, preferably the figures 0 to 9, inclusive.

With tables made up in the manner described it is found that by combining the numbers of the table in Fig. 1 with the first figures of the numbers of the table in Fig. 2 one hundred different numbers will be produced, which will be duplicates of the numbers formed by the last three figures of the numbers in the table shown in Fig. 2, and also that by combining the last figures of the numbers of the table shown in Fig. 1 with the first two figures of the numbers in the table shown in Fig. 2 one hundred different numbers will be produced, which will be duplicates of the numbers formed by combining the last two figures of the numbers of the table shown in Fig. 2 with the figures of the table shown in Fig. 3. It is thus obvious that a single key may be used for the first two and.

the last two three-figure groups, respectively, thus reducing the number of key-tables required by two.

The first two three-figure groups of the message-numbers are transcribed by the key shown in Fig. 4, which comprises one hundred different numbers E of three figures each, formed by combining the two-figure numbers of the table shown in Fig. 1 with the first figures of the numbers of the table shown in Fig. 2, being the first two units of the first five tens of each hundreds, as 000, 001, ((010777 ((011,!) (1020,); 4021); (A030,)! (4031,!) [1040, ((0417)) 11100,!) H101, ((110,)! (4111,)! &c., to and including 941.

The two-figure groups, formed by the last figure of the first of a pair of seven-figure message-numbers and the first figure of the second of said pair of seven-figure messagenumbers, are transcribed by the key shown in Fig. 5, which consists of one hundred twofigure numbers Fto wit, 00, 01, 02, &c., to and including 99.

The last two three-figure groups of each pair of seven figure message-numbers are transscribed by means of the key shown in Fig. 6, which consists of one hundred three-figure numbers G, comprising the first twenty units of the first five hundreds, beginning 000, 001, "002, 003, &c., to and including K t 419.!)

The final figure of odd or single sevenfigure message-numbers is transcribed by means of the key shown in Fig. 7, which consists of the same figures H as the code-table shown in Fig. 3.

Each of the keys shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 comprises, in addition to the numbers heretofore specified, different letters comprising vowels and consonants arranged to identify the numbers of each of said tables.

sonant and vowel in line with the transverse and vertical rows at the intersection of which said number is located. With this arrangement it is obvious that the one hundred num bers of each table will requireall of the letters of the alphabet excepting one, and as the letter Q occurs in words only in connection with the letter U it has not been used.

In addition to the figures specified the key shown in Fig. 7 comprises a single letter, as shown a consonant, arranged in line with each of said figures.

For guidance in the use of the key-tables the table shown in Fig. 4 is usually accompa nied with the following note of instruction, "Use on first six figures, the table shown in Fig. 5 bythe note of instruction, Use on seventh and eighth figures, the table shown in Fig. 6 by the note of instruction,Use on last sixfigures, and the table shown in Fig. 7 by the note of instruction, Use only in terminating a word.

A code of my invention is of particular value for commercial use in transmitting orders for any particular class of merchandise with reference to which it isarranged. To illustrate, suppose that the code-tables are arranged with particular reference to packing-house products. Opposite the numbers of the table shown in Fig. 2 are placed the names of different products, accompanied by any desired description thereof, as Shortcut hams in boxes averaging 8 to 10 lbs, written in the tables S. O. hams in boxes 8 to 10, S. C. hams in boxes 10 to 12, S. C. hams in boxes 12 to 14, &c.; Long-cut hams in boxes averaging 8 to 10 lbs written in the tables L. O. hams in boxes 8 to 10, L. O. hams in boxes 10 to 12, &c.; Lard in tierces, Lard in tubs, Lard in pails, &c.; Beef in barrels Beef in half-barrels, &c. As the table shown in Fig. 2 contains two hundred different numbers, it is obvious that provision is made for quoting on two hundred different articles.

Opposite the numbers of the table shown in Fig. 1 are placed the price of the article, which in the case of packing products is usually the price per hundredweight of the different articles enumerated. The prices are mdicated in desired units of value, as in shillings sterling for codes to be used in com merce with Great Britain and her colonies, marks for German commerce, francs for French commerce, &c.

Excepting in extraordinary cases the range of prices for packing-house products is not very great from day to day, and it is therefore only necessary to quote the last figure of the number to 0011 ectly indicate the price instead of the full number. For example, sup pose the price of ham of any particular description is eighty-five shillings per hundredweight. It would not be necessary to indicate in full, but merely the last figure, 5, by which the buyer and seller would understand that eighty-five shillings was meant, as the market at the time was between eighty and ninety shillings. Similarly, 0 would indicate 80, 1 would indicate 81, &c., or if the market were between seventy and eighty shillings these expressions would in like manner indicate 70, 71, &c.

In the tables provision is made for quotations varying by one-quarter of a unitin the case assumed one-quarter of a shilling per hundredweight of the different articles enumerated in the table shown in Fig. 2. Forty different numbers will thus be necessary for indicating the range of prices between 0 and 9%. In practice, also, I prefer to utilize additional numbers in said table to indicate terms, conditions, remarks, &c., and I also prefer to include in said table certain numbers opposite which are blank spaces, which may be filled in to meet any special requirements of the user of the code. As previously stated, the table shown in Fig. 1 contains fifty different numbers.

Opposite the figures of the table shown in Fig. 3 are placed numbers indicating quan tity, as boxes of ham, tierces of lard, barrels of beef, &c. Orders for these various products commonly run for five packages of a given product or a multiple of five, as five boxes of ham, twenty tierces of lard, seventyfive barrels of beef, and the like.

It is thus obvious that the numbers of the table shown in Fig. 1 will indicate the price of the particular article which it is desired to order, of Fig. 2 the kind of merchandise it is desired to order, and of Fig. 3 the quantity thereof, and that by selecting numbers from said tables which correctly indicate the particular article, the price, and the quantity and combining them a single seven-figure message-number will be produced which will correctly indicate the article desired, together with the price and quantity thereof. In arranging the present code I have ad opted the rule of combining the numbers of the different tables in the order in which said tables are numbered, the first two figures of each seven-figure number being a number of the table shown in Fig. 1 the next four figures TTO being a number of the table shown in Fig. 2, and the final figure being a figure of the table shown in Fig. 3. The key-tables are likewise made up with reference to this order of combinat-ion.

I will now describe the method of using my improved code.

When it is desired to send a code-message, as an order for a number of boxes of shortcut hams, a quantity of lard in tierces, and of beef in barrels, at specified prices, from the table shown in Fig. 1, the numbers are selected which correspond with the prices per hundredweight of the articles to be ordered. To these numbers are successively joined, respectively, the numbers from Fig. 2 which indicate the particular articles or goods desired and the figures from the table shown in Fig. 3 which indicate the quantities desired. For example, suppose it is desiredto order twenty boxes of long-cut hams averaging from twelve to fourteen pounds at eighty three and one-half shillings per hundredweight. By referring to the tables we note that the number in Fig. 1 which indicates the desired price (eighty three and onehalf shillings) is 24. We note also that the number of-the table shown in Fig. 2 which designates long-cut hams averaging twelve to fourteen pounds is 0040 and from Fig. 3 that the number representing twenty boxes is 3; The cipher-number identifying this order is first the number 24 of Fig. 1, indicating the price, followed. by the number 0040 of Fig. 2, which indicates the article desired, followed bythe figure 3 of Fig. 3, which indicates the quantity desired, the full. numberbeing 2400403 or, vice versa, the number 2400403 in a message would indicate first the number 24 of the table shown in Fi 1, second, the number 0040 of the tab e shown in Fig. 2, and third the figure 3 of the table shown in Fig. 3, which by reference to said tables indicate an order for twenty boxes of long-cut hams averaging from twelve to fourteen pounds at eighty-three and onehalf shillings per hundredweight.

In order to fully illustrate the manner of using a code of my invention, let us assume that it is desired to compile a code-message embodying the following order: thirty boxes of short-cut hams averaging from fourteen to sixteen pounds at eighty-two shillings per hundredweight, seventy-five tierces of lard at seventy-five shillings per hundredweight, and forty barrels of beef at sixty-nine shillings per hundredweight. As heretofore explained, these several orders are indicated by the following message-numb ers, respectively:

thirty boxes short-cut hams averaging from. fourteen to sixteen pounds at eighty-two shillings per hundredweight equals "1300115; seventy-five tierces of lard at seventy-five shillings per hundredweight equals 4001108, forty barrels of beef at sixty-nine shillings per hundredweight equals 7101306.. In compiling these message-numbers into words made up of letters the first two of said numbers are considered together and the last number separately. The first two numbers, considered as a pair, are divided into groups in the manner heretofore described, the first six figures into groups 'of three figures each, the seventh and eighth figures into a single group of two figures, and the last six figures into two groups of three figures each. Dividing said numbers as directed, we obtain the following groups: 130011-54-001108. As previously explained, the first two three-figure groups are transcribed by means of the key-table shown in Fig. 4, the two-figure group by the l eytable shown in Fig. 5, and the two last three figure groups by the key-table shown inFig. 6. As previously explained, also, the last message-number is divided into two groups of three figures each and a final letter, said groups and letter being as follows, 710- 130-6, of which the two three-figure groups are transcribed by means of the key-table shown in Fig. 4 and the final figure by means of the key-table shown in Fig. 7.

Making the substitution for the above groups from the various tables we find the equivalents thereof to be as follows:

130 (Fig. 4) I W A or joining these letters to form words of ten letters, as far as possible, we derive the following words: wafaticale and rowar, which are pronounceable words containing not more than ten letters, conformable to the rules relating to the transmission of cable grams. Vice versa, when a cablegram is received, it is divided up into groups of two letters, beginning at the left, and the numbers of the-key-tables corresponding to said groups of letters are substituted therefor. As heretofore explained, the first and second groups of letters are translated by the key shown in Fig. 4, the third group by the table 1 shown in Fig. 5, and the fourth and fifth groups by the table shown in Fig. 6. In the case of five-letter words the first and second. groups are translated by the key-table shown in Fig. 4 and the final letter by the table shown in Fig. 7. Thus upon receipt of a message containing the words wafaticale rowar said words are divided into groups as follows: wa-fa-ti-ca-le rowar and substipossible combinations, and that said two tuting from the key-tables, as'directed, we derive the following numbers:

W A (Fig. 4) 130 which numbers combined and divided into seven-figure message-numbers gives of which the two first figures of each number are numbers of the table shown in Fig. 1, the next four figures of each number are numbers of the table shown in Fig. 2, and the final figures of each number are figures of the table shown in Fig. 3, and which together embody an order for a definite quantity of a given article at a specified price, or, byreferring to the tables, 1300115 equals thirty boxes shortcut hams averaging fourteen to sixteen pounds at eighty-two shillings per hundred weight, 4001 108 equals seventy-five tierces of lard at seventy-five shillings per hundredweight, and 7101306 equals forty barrels of beef at sixty-nine shillings per hundredweight.

In the case assumed two words are thus made to take the place of four figure-words and where the numbers in a message form even pairs or a message comprises a large number of numbers a saving of upward of fifty per cent. is effected.

With the three code-tables shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, consisting of fifty, of two hundred, and of ten different numbers, respectively, it is obvious that two hundred thousand different seven-figure message-numbers may be produced by joining the numbers of the different tables in the manner hereinbefore fully described, in all hundred thousand seven-figure numbers would identify different code expressions identified by the numbers of the different tables.

By means of my code-tables the seven-figure number identifying any given code expressions can obviously be compiled in a very much shorter time than would be required to find the desired code expressions in a table consisting of the two hundred thousand seven-figure message-numbers with their corresponding code expressions. It is also obvious that a code of my invention will be very small, indeed, as compared with the full code formed by combining the numbers of my code-tables, consisting, in fact, of but a i single page, whereas a code consisting of the full two hundred thousand message-numbers and corresponding code expressions would forma volume of several hundred pages. In this manner are the desired economies of time in the use of my code and of bulk or volume effected. It is obvious, moreover, that even were a code-table consisting of the full two hundred thousand seven-figure numbers used instead of being derived as desired accoding to a code of my invention they could be compiled into Words consisting of letters, and vice versa, words consisting of letters could be translated by means of the key-tables shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

I claim as myinvention 1. A cipher-code consisting of code expressions and code-numbers which identify said code expressions and a key comprising numbers formed by arranging said code-numbers into groups of figures, according to an adopted rule, and letters comprising vowels and consonants arranged to identify the different numbers of said key.

2. A ci her-code consisting of code expressions an code-numbers which identify said code expressions and a key comprising numbers formed by arranging said code-numbers into groups of figures accordin to an adopted rule, the numbers of said ey being arranged in rows in two directions, consonants in line with said rows in one direction and vowels in the other.

3. A cipher-code consisting of code expressions and code-numbers which identify said code expressions and a key comprising numbers formed by arranging said code-numbers into groups of figures according to an adopted rule, the numbers of said key being arranged in five vertical and twenty transverse rows, a different vowel in line with each vertical row and a different consonant in line with each transverse row.

4. A cipher-code consisting of code expressions and code-numbers, said code-numbers adapted when combined to make messagenumbers of seven figures each which identify said code expressions, and a transcribing-key consisting of a key-table comprising numbers formed by grouping the first, second and third figures and also the fourth, fifth and sixth figures of the difierent message-numbers, and letters comprising vowels and consonants which identify each number of said table, and a second ke -table comprising the seventh figures of the ifferent messa e-numbers and letters which identify each said table.

5. A cipher-code consisting of code expressions and code-numbers, said code-numbers adapted to be combined to form messagenumbers of seven figures each which identify said code expressions, and a key comprisin first a key-table comprising numbers formed figure of sions and code-numbers, said code-numbers adapted to be combined to form messagenumbers of seven figures each which identify said code expressions, the first, second and 'third figures and the fourth, fifth and sixth figures of the different messa e-numbers forming duplicate sets of three-figure numbers, and a key comprising a key-table consisting of the numbers formed by dividing the first six figures of the message-numbers into two three-figure groups, as aforesaid, and letters comprising vowels and consonants which identify the different numbers of said key-table, and said key comprising also a key-table comprising the final figures of said messa e-numbers and different letters which identi y said figures.

7. A cipher-code consisting of code expressions and code-numbers, said code-numbers adapted to be combined to form message numbers of seven figures each which identify said code expressions, the first, second and third figures of said message-numbers and the fourth, fifth and sixth figures thereof forming two duplicate sets of three-figure numbers, and a key comprising a key-table consisting of the numbers formed by dividing the first six figures of the message-numbers into three-figure groups, as aforesaid, the numbers of said key-table being arranged in intersecting rows, vowels in line with said rows in one direction and consonants in the other, and said key comprising also a key-table comprising the final figures of the differ ent message-numbers and different letters to identify said figures.

8. A cipher-code consisting of code expressions and code numbers, said oode-numbers adapted to be combined to form messagenumbers of seven figures each which identify said code expressions, and a key comprising three key-tables one of which comprises num bers formed by the first, second and third, and also the fourth, fifth and sixth figures of said message-numbers, another the second, third and fourth and also the fifth, sixth and seventh figures of the different message-numbers, and still another key-table comprising two figure-numbers formed by joining the final and the first figures of different messagenumbers, and letters comprising vowels and consonants which identify the different numbers of said three tables.

9. A cipher-code consisting of code expressions and code-numbers, said code-numbers being adapted to be combined to form message-numbers of seven figures each which identify said code expressions, and a key comprising four key-tables the first of which comprises numbers formed by the first, second and third, and also the fourth, fifth and sixth figures of said message-numbers, the second table comprising the second, third and fourth and also the fifth, sixth and seventh figures of the different message-numbers, the third key-table comprising two-fig ure numbers formed by joining the final and the first figures of the different message-numbers and letters comprising vowels and consonants which identify the different numbers of each of said tables, and the fourth table comprising the final figures of the different message-numbers and different letters to identify said figures.

10. A cipher-code consisting of code expressions and code-numbers, said. codenumbers adapted to be combined to form message-numbers of seven figures each which identify said code expressions, the first, second and third figures of said message-numbers and the fourth, fifth and sixth figures thereof forming duplicate sets of three-figure numbers, and the second, third and fourth figures of said message-numbers and the fifth, sixth and seventh figures thereof also forming duplicate sets of three-figure numbers, and a key comprising a key-table consisting of the numbers formed by dividing the first six figures of the message-numbers into three figure groups, said key comprising also a key table consisting of the numbers formed by dividing the last six figures of the messagenumbers into three-figure groups, said key also comprising a key-table consisting of twofigure numbers formed by joining final and first figures of different message-numbers, the numbers of said key-tables, respectively, being arranged in intersecting rows with vowels in line with said rows in one direction and consonants in the other direction, said key also comprising a key-table comprising the final figures of said message-numbers and different letters which identify said figures.

11. A cipher-code consisting of code expressions and code-numbers, said code-numbers adapted to be combined to form message-numbers of seven figures each which identify said code expressions, the first and second figures of said. message-numbers com prising the first five units of each tens, beginning with 00 and ending with 94, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth. figures of said message-numbers comprising the first two units of the first five tens of each hundreds, beginning with 0000 and ending with 1941 and the seventh figures of said message-numbers comprising the figures 0 to 9, and a key comprising a key-table consisting of three-figure numbers comprising the first two units of the first five tens of the first nine hundreds, beginning with 000 and ending with 941, said key comprising also a key-table consisting of two-figure numbers beginning with 00 and ending with 99, said key also comprising a key-table consisting of three-figure numbers comprising the first twenty units of. the first five hundreds, beginning with 000 and ending with 419, the numbers of said key-tables, respectively, being arranged in five vertical and twenty transverse rows reading consecutively from top to bottom of each row, a different vowel in line with each vertical row and a different consonant in line with each transverse row, said key also comprising a key consisting of the figures 0 to 9 and a different letter in line with each of said figures.

12. A cipher-code consisting of a plurality of code-tables each consisting of numbers designed and adapted to be combined to form message-numbers and code expressions identified by the numbers of the different codetables, and a key comprising key-tables consisting of numbers formed by combining the figures of the different codetables to form n1essage-numbers and dividing said messagenumbers into groups of figures in accordance with a definite rule, and different letters comprising vowels and consonants which identify the different numbers of said messagetables.

13. A ciphercode consisting of a plurality of code-tables each consisting of numbers designed and adapted to be combined to form message-numbers and code expressions identified by the numbers of the different codetables and a key comprising key-tables consisting of numbers formed by combining different numbers of the different code-tables to form message-numbers and dividing said message-numbers into groups of figures in accordance with a rule adopted, the numbers of said key-tables being arranged in intersecting rows with consonants in line with said rows in one direction and vowels in line with said rows in the other direction.

14. A cipher-code consisting of three codetables, of which the first consists of the first five units of each tens, begining with 00 and ending with 94, the second of the first two units of the first five tens of the first twenty hundreds, beginning with 0000 and ending with 1941 and'the third consists of the figures 0 to 9, inclusive, and code ex ressions identified by the numbers of the different code-tables and a key comprising a key-table consisting of three-figure numbers comprisin the first two units of being arranged in five vertical and twenty transverse rows reading from top to bottom of each row, a difierent vowel in line with each vertical row and a different consonant in line with each transverse row, said key also comprising a key-table consisting of the figures 0 to 9 and a different letter in line with each of said figures.

15. A cipher-code for ordering articles of merchandise, consisting of a series of codenumbers identifying price expressions, a second series of numbers identifying the various articles of merchandise embraced by the code and a third series of numbers indicating quantity, whereby one message-number made up of figures from each of these tables will constitute one order, and a key for transcribing each order into pronounceable syllables, whereby several orders may be translated into one or more euphonious words.

16. A commercial cipher-code consisting, first, of a series of tables of code-numbers identifying the several articles the code is to be used for and the essentials of an order, whereby a message or order number can be made up from the several tables which will constitute the essential elements of an order for an article, and, secondly, of a key for 

